Ashley Bowen
Ashley Bowen earned a PhD in American Studies and Public Humanities in December 2016. Her research focuses on the history of health, medicine, and social services in the period from the American Civil War to World War I. When she isn't feeling existential angst about finishing her dissertation, she works as a part-time bookseller and plans adventures as a field agent for Atlas Obscura. A Texas native now living in Washington, DC, she has been known to travel long distances for a proper breakfast taco and Dr. Pepper. Her writing appears on Book Riot, Atlas Obscura, museum blogs, and in various "serious" academic journals.
Twitter: @aebowenPhD
Favorite Under-the-Radar Books of 2017
Ashley Bowen
January 3, 2018
Six of our favorite under-the-radar books of 2017 that should've gotten more buzz.
Beautiful Children’s Book Illustrations From 100 Years Ago
Ashley Bowen
October 2, 2017
Fall in love with these beautiful children's book illustrations available to view online.
Tinder Profiles of Dead Authors
Ashley Bowen
August 31, 2017
Looking for your perfect match--someone who loves books as much as you do? Look no further than the Tinder profiles of these bygone authors (or swipe left).
On Divorce, Nuclear Bombs, and Continuity
Ashley Bowen
August 22, 2017
What do you read after experiencing something as traumatic as divorce? This reader found comfort in a book about preparation for nuclear bombing.
Consider This Permission to Keep All Your Books
Ashley Bowen
July 19, 2017
Let's talk about the life-changing magic of keeping all your books and not caring what anyone thinks of it.
Reading LEAVES OF GRASS as a Self-Help Book
Ashley Bowen
July 17, 2017
Having a sh*t sandwich of a week/month/year? Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass to the rescue!
Stunning Photographs of FSA Libraries in the 1940s
Ashley Bowen
June 20, 2017
Fascinating vintage eye candy for library lovers--from Farm Security Administration!
My Partner Doesn’t Use Bookmarks and It Stresses Me Out
Ashley Bowen
June 15, 2017
It puts the bookmark in its book...
Revising Your Cringe-Worthy Book Reviews
Ashley Bowen
May 17, 2017
A reader revisits her Goodreads review of The Help, seven years later.
Dream President-Novelist Collaborations
Ashley Bowen
May 9, 2017
Inspired by the James Patterson and Bill Clinton novel collaboration, here are ten dream pairings of presidents and novelists alive at the same time.